Richard Belzer (b. 1944) is an American actor and comedian best known for his role as Detective John Munch in the television series Homicide: Life on the Street and in the Law & Order franchise. In total, the character of Munch has appeared on 10 television series.[1]

His role was alluded to when Belzer made a cameo appearance in the special Elmopalooza. In fact, when he arrives backstage to rescue Jon Stewart from his locked dressing room, Big Bird mistakes him for a police officer. He's not able to break the door down, so he calls in his stuntman, Sparky.